chapter 35
Castiel P.O.V.
Explaining to Emily about Serenity was not that terrible, doing it to the others was much worst.
I am now in front of the others as we are all in a new apartment, already fortified by LeFay that had some energy to spare (but she was still quite weak). But the real reason of why we can relax a bit is another one.
I met one of Okuyasu's masters, Akisame. The man was quite civil and gentle, but I could feel the power rolling out of him.
He was strong. Dangerously so. To the point that I would not be able to tell who would win between him and most of the executives in the Tower (the executives are Lancer, Rider, Saber, Caster, Berserker, and Assassin).
He was now treating Okuyasu and Seryu exhaustions by using his Ki. Those two are the most tired of us all, which means a lot as I was awake just due to some energetic drinks made to make sure a magus can spend three or four weeks without needing to sleep. And even then I was just about to roll over and sleep.
After making sure that everyone was fine I needed to verify two important things that I could not let go right now.
"Will they be fine?" I asked Akisame as he finished transferring his Ki to the two of them.
"Yeah, they will be fine. I just finished their treatment and now we just have to wait until they wake up naturally. The others are fine as well, but Arthur will need some more time as his body received too much damage and, even with Okuyasu curing him before fully passing out, he will still need time to properly recover." Said Akisame as he finished his diagnostic.
I nodded at that and gave him my most sincere thanks, I owe him quite a lot as he saved Seryu and Arthur lives'.
"No need to thank me, I was here for a mission after all." Was Akisame's answer.
Tilting my head, a little I asked.
"And what was the mission?"
He looks peaceful before saying.
"Simple, I came here to get back an item that was stolen by a little thief." Was his answer.
My brows must be twitching like crazy because I am pretty sure who is the thief in this case.
"Give what you stole back to him, Lugh." I said glaring at the white-haired eye-patched girl on the room.
She rolled her shoulders and tossed back a magatama to Akisame.
"Yes, now I can deliver this to the Japanese Pantheon and get paid. No more financial problems for Ryozampaku for some time." He said with a slight smile on his face.
If I remember right Okuyasu did say that his dojo had a terrible luck with money and they barely could keep going due to this, so getting a large sum at once must have put Akisame in a good mood.
Now I have to deal with another headache.
"Why are you here Lugh?" I asked the girl that was admiring her sword (that was most likely stolen) without a care in the world, but it was clear to see that she was a bit down for losing one of 'her treasures'.
"I was helping." Was what she said.
Seeing that this was going to be a long story, I did the only thing I could think of that would be correct. I gave her something to sign.
"What is this?" she asked.
"A geass, it says that you will stay here for the rest of the day and will answer my questions truthfully. If you sign we are good, if not I will give you to Rin. Do you prefer to talk to her or me?" I said with a smile just as angelic as Rin usually had, a smile faker than the one Miku uses (even if she did not smile like that for me since the death arena, strange).
Lugh shuddered a bit on imagining a talk to Rin right now, that is NOT something she would like to do. She then signed the geass and gave it back to me.
Smiling I turned around and went to leave the room.
"W-wait, wasn't you going to make questions to me right now?" Lugh said sounding extremely confused.
"Yeah… no. I am too tired for this shit. We will talk after I take a much-deserved nap." I said as I left the room. I know Lugh well enough and she will not do anything now.
She is a crazy girl that is almost the incarnation of greed, but she will not backstab others for no good reason… and with Akisame right there I doubt she would even think about it, her survival instincts are too strong for her to act stupid.
As I Ieft the room I was accompanied by Serenity that refused to be more than five steps from me at all times. It was probably due to me being the only one she feels comfortable being with, the others still mistrust her and she fears that she might accidentally poison them due to her poison returning (it took 10 minutes to her skin turn grey again, a likely sign of the poison activity).
Before I could arrive on my room (and my, oh so inviting, bed) I heard someone calling for me. I turned and there was Miku looking at me intently.
"Castiel, I decided what I want you to do for me." She said with a serious face, but when I took a closer look I could see that her legs were trembling a bit.
"And what would it be? And will it take too long? I want to go to bed and sleep." Normally I would try to be more gentle, but I am so tired that I could not give a damn even at gunpoint right now.
"It will be fast. Please sign this." She said as she gave me a geass.
I shrugged my shoulders and accepted to take a look and if it was not something too extreme I would sign it right now and be done with it.
This is one of the rare moments that I thank Luvia's training on how to act in a fitting manner regardless of the situation. All those times she made me read official (and extra boring and repetitive type) documents, while I was sleep deprived for over four days of non-stop training, made me capable to understand a document even if less than a tenth of my brain bothered to be functional.
It was fairly simple, not any double meaning or any trick like that. This geass was simple, to be honest about my opinion to her for the next two hours.
I signed without any problem and gave the geass back to Miku. She had a serious face all along, especially when I was signing, but after that, I noticed that her shoulders relaxed just a little bit.
"Come with me." She said and started going to another place.
*sigh* Bye, bye my precious bed. It seems like we were not destined to be together for now, but know this:
I will be back.
After accompanying Miku for some time we arrived at her room. She immediately went to a notebook and started searching for something in there.
After finding a video on YouTube she put me to listen to it. It was a younger girl (probably 14 or 15) singing.
(Writer' Note: all rights for this music goes to LeeandLie. Check it out there.)
Heavenly Blue (Aldnoah Zero OP1-cover)
This is how a legend is born
It's nothing more than a bouquet of lies, ink burning darker than black
But it's a curse you will live with, a curse you will die with
Forever reaching for things that don't exist
.
Nonetheless this godforsaken path that you walk
It is a curse in itself, an inescapable crime
But it's a beauty I'll guard until the end of time (sodistia)
.
Rain melts down from the stars, falling from azure skies
All at once turning this world's every hue into blue
Granted a simple choice: Stay mute or raise your voice
I for one want to find out just how far you can be heard
.
At a glance we both were falling for this world, enchanted by its light
Could this be the place we finally belong?
For all of humanity, I will take the stage alone
And somehow manifest a roaring symphony
We were born for flight before the light of the dawn
.
Murmur sweet nothings to me
It's nothing more than a whisper of pain,
A thousand knives to my heart
Inside it boils my darkness, that sea of pitch black
I fear that I'm addicted, now there's no going back
.
I have fallen deeply for the haze of your smile
The brilliant pure radiance drowning in cold ambience
But it's a beauty I'll guard until the end of time (mistioso)
.
Where is our motherland? Could it be where we stand?
Do you think maybe in another life we were here?
Everything we will seek – Everything we will feel
All depends on how far the two of us can cast our reach
.
At a glance we both were falling for this world, enchanted by its light
All its beauty more divine when unattained
Hear our one and only wish – Hear it calling out your name
It's slowly trembling in arms of darkness
We extend our hands before the light of the dawn
.
kantisti sonta dia maliti ola
(dia) adita asole imente
salita martita
amisti ola dia malita sola
adito (sali) idiya masole isto gloria
.
One and all are falling deeply for this world, enchanted by its light
Could it be thanks to that distant melody?
For all of humanity, we will take the stage as one
And somehow manifest a roaring symphony
.
Take your dreaming heart and set it free
As we reach out for the same horizon – toward that light –
The one within our dreams
Even though it's far away, I believe in our resolve
If this is meant to be we will find a way
Put your faith in me and reach for that HEAVENLY BLUE
.
(Writer's Note: Again, all rights for the lyric belong exclusively to AmaLee and you can find it on her youtube channel, which I totally recommend)
"So? What did you think?" Miku asked as the song ended.
After finishing hearing this song I looked at Miku and kept staring at her for a moment without voicing out anything before turning back to my room without another word.
I have something I have to do.
Miku P.O.V.
I knew it.
I knew he had to be lying earlier when he said he liked my songs. After he heard one of the songs I put the most emotions I could he did not say anything and left.
Heh, why is that that I feel a cold feeling in my belly? Was I actually hoping for him to be different? No, of course not. I will not be the fool again, no one likes my songs for real except perhaps my mother.
It must be because he must tell me honestly, but he thought it was bad. He was just like those two, they act nice on the outside but inside they completely dislike me.
I knew it, all men are the same in the end. I just knew i-
SLAM
My door opened not even a minute after Castiel left and he came back.
He had something on his hand that I could not see exactly.
He sat in front of the computer and started searching for something there with an extremely serious face.
"What are you doin-"
"Shush. I am busy now." He said without even turning back to look at me.
I stayed there trying to understand what he was doing. Was he writing a review saying how bad I am, like all the other reviews I received back then?
"… and done." He said with a happy smile. "Thanks for the present Miku."
"What do you mean by that?" I could not help but ask.
Those next words he said were impossible for me to forget.
"Huh, wasn't you gifting me a new song for my cellphone? I mean, I just downloaded it with Itunes and added it to my favorite list of all times and all. It was one of the best songs I ever heard, so many feelings of so diverse natures coming together in a wonderful harmony. Truly a masterpiece." He then looked at me in the eye and smiled. "Thanks for the song Miku."
BABUMP
What did this man say?
BABUMP
BABUMP
He honestly liked my song? He even thanked me for singing?
BABUMP
BABUMP
BABUMP
I, I must make sure of this.
"L-look at the others on the playlist." I said and so he did.
He closed his eyes and moved his head according to the beat of the songs, and one after another he downloaded them all to his phone.
"Now look at these." I said after he finished those songs I made myself and transferred him to another page with those that I sang with magic, those that everyone else praises me for that was written by somebody else.
He changed music's very fast, listening to it for a bit before going for the next one.
"Which one did you prefer?" I asked, not even knowing what answer I preferred.
"The first playlist, obviously. The first one was more amateur to be sure, but the songs had much more impact and were much better. The second playlist seemed to be made with selling the brand as the most important, a commercial song." He then shocks his head and concluded with a sigh. "Those two cannot be even put on the same level, the first one is that much better."
BABUMP
BABUMP
BABUMP
BABUMP
Before I realized I pushed him out of my room. I need to think and understand what am I going to do next.
Is it really possible that he genuinely likes MY original songs? Is it possible?
I need to talk to mother about this.
Castiel P.O.V.
Weird.
Why did she shove me out of her room out of a sudden?
.
.
.
.
.
You know what, I will follow what the manliest man I know taught me years ago.
'When dealing with a woman, learn that you will never understand them. Just nod and go do your thing.' That is the advice that Lancer-sensei said to me while Souichiru-sensei kept nodding on the side. The fact that they can stay in a marriage with two of the scariest woman on earth is, to me, a proof of the concept.
As I left for my room I could almost see the heavenly vision that was my bed when I noticed something.
Serenity was still following me.
"Why don't you go find a room?" I asked.
"There are none."
"… Are you tired too?" I asked.
"Yes."
She really can stay quiet more often than not. I waited to hear her talk some more, but she just stayed there staring at me.
"I am going to sleep now, why don't you do the same? We can try and figure out what we are going to do latter." I said, thinking on what I am going to do to explain back in the Tower why there is a new girl following me around like a shadow.
3° person P.O.V.
A pink-haired girl suddenly felt that her spot as the stalker of her beloved was threatened.
"I feel a disturbance on the stalker force."
Were her exact words at that moment.
Castiel P.O.V.
A sweet-drop rolled on my back with such a thought.
I better go to sleep now.
As I laid down on the bed and was feeling my mind drift away I noticed something. Serenity was laying down on the ground to sleep.
I instantly stood up when I saw this, a serious expression on my face.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Going to sleep."
"Why don't you go search for a bed, there is no need for you to sleep on the ground." I asked
"I searched earlier while you were talking with Miku-sama and there are no extra beds." She then shrugged her shoulders. "I will sleep on the ground; I am used to it anyway."
Am I to let this happen? Does she think I will be pleased by it, or even allow it?
Heck no!
"Get up." I said in a serious tone.
"Understood." She said getting up and positioning herself in front of me.
"Sit here." I said pointing to the bed, I could see a tingle of pink on her cheeks as she complied with my instructions. "Now lay down and rest." I said getting up and letting her keep the bed.
"B-but what about you? You need to rest even more than me." She said immediately after I got up. She tried to get up but I put my hands on her shoulders and put her back on the bed.
"I am a man and I will not let you sleep on the floor so I can keep the bed, now stop talking and go to sleep." I said, but then I noticed something. "And for how long do you intend on keeping the mask on?"
She was wearing that mask up until now. Now that I think about it I never got to see her face directly, even in her memories I only saw things from her perspective so I couldn't see it either.
Seeing me staring at her face it was clear that she was conflicted about it.
"B-but I am a monster. I killed so many people and was always taught that my appearance was a disaster, that I should hide it away." She said while shaking her head.
HEAD CHOP
"Ouch." She said rubbing her head that I just gave a chop.
"Stop saying nonsense and just get this mask out. You are not a monster and you can show your face as much as you want, now take that uncomfortable thing out." I said imagining how using a mask for so long must be annoying as fuck.
Hearing my words, she slowly and carefully took out her mask.
"…Beautiful." Was all I could say as I looked at her face. Her face was simply beautiful to the extreme, probably the prettiest face I have ever seen. It was just so lovely and delicate that it seemed almost against what could be allowed in the world. It was to the point that she could match equally both Kaguya and Yuzuru, and the two are royalties from the fairy race that is well known for beautiful women.
Hearing me call her beautiful (which she is) she bashfully started fidgeting under my gaze.
After a minute where I was lost in looking at her, I finally managed to recompose myself. How can someone have such a perfect face is beyond me, it is too beautiful and perfect in every way.
"A-anyway, of to sleep now." I said pushing her on the bed and putting a blanket over her, to make sure she was cozy and comfortable.
After making sure that she has fallen asleep I lay down on the ground and decided to sleep as well. But not before seeing her face with a happy smile as she dreamed about something, there was even a trace of tears in her eyes that I cleaned up.
Seeing that I managed to save those in need made me happy, almost enough for me to forget that I will have to explain for Yuno and the others about Serenity and the fact that I am sleeping on the ground today.
On the other hand, I feel that my back will not forget this sleep that I am taking today for a long time.
3° person P.O.V.
"… so? What do I do mom?" Miku asked her mother in a video-chat (gods still use the internet, after all, Japanese gods in special have the best signal on all the world, just losing to the angels that managed to get Steve Jobs soul up there).
"Well, my dear, what do you feel in your heart? Do you trust him?"
"I- I think so. It is strange but I feel that he will not hurt me in any way. It's different to before, he doesn't try to please me all the time but I can feel that he is honest with me." Miku said after a few seconds, she still remembers how both Suzaku, the producer, and her fans complimented her all the time.
And she also remembers how it was all empty praise, that they never really liked her for her. Castiel was different in that regard, he talked back to her but honestly liked her music and put his life on the line protecting her.
H-he might actually be different from those two.
"But he got so many girls all around him, and I refuse to be a mistress or something like that." She said haughtily.
Her mother gave a knowing smile as she knew her daughter all too well. She always likes to act tough and say things, but if her heart wanted something for real she would listen.
All goddesses were like this, passionate beings that can get lost in love on the drop of a hat. Miku was probably trying hard to not let herself be taken by those emotions, but Mikoto knew that those emotions were the key to Miku's happiness.
"Weeelll… there is something you do not know about him yet." Mikoto was taking a lot of pleasure out of this situation.
"What? Is it important? Is it serious? Quick, tell me." Miku said in a quick fashion.
"You know that the Tower and we of the Japanese Pantheon have been growing distant with time, right?"
"Yes, that is why it was decided for Castiel to guard me as a show of connection between both sides." Miku said as if natural, after all, that was the official (and only) version she knew of.
"That is actually incorrect. It was not something so small that was made to connect both sides, but something more 'to death do us apart', so to say." Again, Mikoto was taking way too much pleasure out of teasing her daughter.
"D-d-d-d-d-d-d-do you main marriage?"
"Yep."
"Between who?" Miku could not comprehend what she was hearing, or better yet she could not believe it one bit.
"You and Castiel, of course." Mikoto said with a smile on her face.
Miku stayed paralyzed, not a thought was passing through her head in that moment. Just after several seconds like that she reacted again with one question, a final line of defense that her mind had put up before her feelings got too big.
"Did he knew?" If he did then he might have pretended on all his actions, acted that way showing that she could trust him.
'It might have been an act.' Was the last line of defense her mind had, but even she felt it was a brittle and weak argument at best.
Even she doesn't know if it would make that much of a difference at this point, her feelings were getting out of hand to the point that she didn't know what to think anymore.
"No, we made sure to not tell him anything. He was himself the entire time." Then a thought passed through Mikoto's mind, one that she found really interesting. "Isn't it great that your future darling already promised to protect you as long as you are beside him?"
Miku could not respond, not because she did not want to answer her mother but because at that moment her last line of defense was breached and one word took over it all, engrained on her very soul at that instant.
"Darling?"